NORRISTOWN — The cell phones of two of the alleged conspirators in a deadly West Pottsgrove home invasion robbery were in the vicinity of the crime at the time it occurred, a cellular technology expert testified during the conspirators’ trial.

Joseph Coffman, a police corporal in Bucks County who also is an expert in cellular technology and networks, testified in Montgomery County Court on Thursday that a review of call detail records determined that cell phones linked to Andre “Dre” Collier and Charles “Cheese” Freeman were “in close proximity” to the crime scene locations on May 5, 2013.

Those crimes scenes included a home in the 1200 block of Manatawny Street in West Pottsgrove where 19-year-old Kareem Ali Borowy was allegedly kidnapped during a 1:30 p.m. home invasion and a stretch of roadway along the 2100 block of Sanatoga Station Road in Lower Pottsgrove where Borowy allegedly was shot and killed by his captors.

“It shows movement of a suspect’s phone from tower to tower during a specific time period,” Coffman testified, referring to the technology used to track cell phone usage.

Advertisement

Phones known to be used by Collier, the alleged triggerman, and Freeman, the alleged getaway driver, were in those locations “in and around the time these incidents occurred,” Coffman testified for Deputy District Attorney Samantha Cauffman.

Collier, 26, of the 5500 block of Larchwood Avenue, Philadelphia, Freeman, 33, of the 400 block of Circle Drive, West Pottsgrove, and Omar “O” Miller, 28, of the 5000 block of Larchwood Avenue, Philadelphia, face charges of first-, second-, and third-degree murder and conspiracy-related charges in connection with the alleged home invasion robbery that ended with Borowy’s gunshot slaying.

A fourth man, Rasheed Teel, 21, of Wheeler Street, Philadelphia, who previously pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder, kidnapping, and robbery in connection with his alleged role as “the lookout” in the deadly scheme, placed Collier, Freeman and Miller at the scene, and identified Collier as the man who shot Borowy.

Dr. Walter I. Hofman, county coroner, testified an autopsy determined Borowy died of a gunshot wound to the back and the death was ruled a homicide.

“It went through various body organs,” Hofman said about the bullet, which was eventually recovered from Borowy’s liver after it nicked his right kidney and diaphragm. “This was a gunshot wound to the back, going from left to right, involving major organs. This is a life-threatening gunshot wound. He bled out.”

Hofman estimated death occurred within five to 10 minutes. Hofman also noted that Borowy had scrapes on his legs and arms.

“It indicates he was moving on his hands and legs in an attempt to escape,” Hofman testified.

The defense lawyers have targeted Teel as they’ve attacked the prosecution’s theory of the case. Defense lawyers William McElroy, who represents Collier, and David Ennis, Freeman’s lawyer, implied Teel is a liar who gave multiple inconsistent statements to detectives and who would say anything to get a deal from prosecutors for his own crimes.

Prosecutors alleged Borowy was the target of a robbery and that his alleged abductors believed he would have drugs and money. Collier, Teel and Miller, at least two brandishing handguns, allegedly entered the Manatawny Street residence during the home invasion while Freeman waited outside as the getaway driver, according to the arrest affidavit filed by county Detective Mark Minzola and Lower Pottsgrove Detective Joseph Campbell.

The men allegedly demanded money from Borowy, who told the intruders he had several grams of marijuana upstairs and that they could take it. Investigators alleged Borowy told the intruders that his money was at a nearby friend’s home.

The three robbers then left the home, taking Borowy with them in a Buick Le Sabre operated by Freeman, prosecutor’s alleged.

At one point after the alleged kidnapping, Borowy was able to get his hands free, started to fight in the rear seat and managed to get out of the passenger side rear door and started to run, detectives alleged.

“Collier stepped out of the car, fired two shots and then returned to the car and said, ‘He’s down, I saw him drop,’” according to prosecutors.

The four alleged robbers then returned to Philadelphia, court papers indicate. Teel allegedly told detectives that for his role in the plot he received several hundred dollars.

Follow Carl Hessler Jr. on Twitter @MontcoCourtNews

About the Author

Carl Hessler Jr. writes about crime and justice at the Montgomery County Courthouse for The Mercury and 21st Century Media Newspaper’s Greater Philadelphia area publications. A native of Reading, he studied at Penn State University and Kutztown University before graduating from Alvernia University with a degree in communications. He is a recipient of a National Headliner Award and has been honored for his writing by the Keystone Press Association, Philadelphia Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania. Reach the author at chessler@pottsmerc.com
or follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews.